Nik Wallenda’s Final Public Training in Sarasota Prior to June 23’s Grand Canyon #SkyWire Walk

A little rain didn’t stop Nik Wallenda during his last public Sarasota training for his June 23 Grand Canyon Walk, June 19, 2013

Are you stalking Nik Wallenda? A friend jokingly asked Sunday evening after I uploaded photos from his training. So yeah, counting today, I’ve seen the “King of the Wire” train four times at Sarasota, Florida’s Nathan Benderson Park prior to his Sunday walk across the Grand Canyon.

Nik Wallenda is living the American dream. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Lightning flashed in the distance but it was safe enough for the daredevil to walk the 1,000-something-foot wire, although he seemed to pick up the pace. Ironically, just after 6 p.m., I overheard on the security radio a woman’s voice saying to instruct Nik to slow down because more spectators and supporters were still driving in.

Nik Wallenda takes a short break to answer questions from the crowd. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Once he reached the end, it was raining pretty hard and he removed his custom-made high-wire shoes, see below, which is mother made, and walked back in his white socks. The reason? He didn’t want to stretch the shoes out. What are his shoes made of? Read this post about a Q&A with Wallenda.

How to Watch Nik Wallenda Walk Across the Grand CanyonWallenda’s walk across the Grand Canyon will air live on Discovery Channel and Discovery.com on Sunday, June 23 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The network is calling the event, “Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda.” Follow the conversation on Twitter with #SkyWire.

Have I mentioned there will be no net and the daredevil will not have a safety harness? The portion of the Grand Canyon he’s walking across is 1,500-foot deep. As Nik Wallenda reminded the crowd, that’s taller than the Empire State Building (that’s 1,454 feet tall).

Sarasota Block Party
If you’ll be in Sarasota on Sunday, head over to Mattison’s City Grille (1 N. Lemon Ave.) between 7 and 11 p.m. for a free Block Party to cheer Nik Wallenda on. A Jumbotron on Lemon Avenue between Main Street and First Avenue will air Wallenda’s walk live. The family-friendly party will include circus performances and other activities. Visit www.mattisons.com or www.circussarasota.org for additional information.

Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led Jennifer Huber, aka: Solo Travel Girl, to a career path in tourism. She has worked in the tourism industry for more than 20 years including 10 years with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley and Everglades National Park. She currently lives in Southwest Florida, and maintains this travel blog with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.